July 6, 2025 Breaking News, Latest News, and Videos

SMCLC Reveal Details In Elizabeth Riel Firing Lawsuit:

The Elizabeth Riel saga just won’t seem to go away.

Last year Riel was offered the job of Communications Director for the City of Santa Monica, but the position was later rescinded by former city manager Rod Gould. Riel filed a lawsuit and received a $710,000 settlement in July.

District court deposition documents recently obtained by the Santa Monica Coalition for a Livable City (SMCLC) show that Riel’s past political activities might have been the basis for her firing.

The SMCLC stated in a letter to its members on Monday that “these documents show that city council member and then (Santa Monica) mayor and current council member Pam O’Connor relentlessly pressured then city manager Rod Gould to fire Elizabeth for having made a donation to an SMCLC political mailer in 2006.”

According to the SMCLC: “Our City Charter explicitly prohibits any city council member from interfering in the City Manager’s hiring and firing decisions. A council member cannot, even indirectly, request that a city employee be hired or fired.”

Email correspondence between O’Connor and Gould were recently made public. According to court documents of Gould’s videotaped deposition on March 18, 2015, Gould at first appeared to stand by his decision to hire Riel as Communications Director.

As Gould stated: “(Riel) is a communications expert and will help the city with its messaging.” He added that he hoped O’Connor would give Riel a chance to prove herself.

But O’Connor wrote: “I will be extremely hesitant to work with Elizabeth Riel especially during campaign season.”

In another email to Gould, O’Connor stated: “I do not and will not trust (Riel). I will not work with her not because she is a supporter of others but she attacked me directly by putting money onto a hit piece. There are very few direct hit pieces done in Santa Monica and she was a leader in this effort.”

Gould stated: “Our system is designed to separate politics from employment decisions… I will speak with Elizabeth today (May 23, 2014) to be sure she can work with all members of the city council and represent the city’s view professionally.”

Deputy City Manager Elaine Polachek seemed to offer support to Riel in an email correspondence, stating: “I think Elizabeth is the right choice. She has a keen understanding of communications for the city.”

Many of these email correspondents were made in late May of 2014. Gould announced his plans to retire as City Manager in January 2015 on Aug. 1, 2014.

in News
<>Related Posts

Hama Sushi Hosts Weekly Music and Comedy Open Mics

July 5, 2025

July 5, 2025

The venue, a Venice Beach staple since 1979, has recently expanded its legendary happy hour to the entire patio Hama...

Connections Breakfast to Network Local Business Professionals in Malibu

July 5, 2025

July 5, 2025

The event, sponsored by Malibu Country Mart, will feature a breakfast mixer where attendees can meet new contacts  A Connections...

12th Annual Gopher Scramble Golf Tournament to Benefit Venice Heritage Museum

July 5, 2025

July 5, 2025

The museum opened to the public in March 2024 at the Main Street Design Center with its inaugural exhibition, “This...

Michael Madsen, Star of Reservoir Dogs and Kill Bill, Dies at 67 in Malibu

July 4, 2025

July 4, 2025

Actor Remembered for His Intense Performances and as a Poet  Actor Michael Madsen, known for his distinctive gravelly voice and...

Ruskin Group Theatre to Stage ‘The Fantasticks’

July 4, 2025

July 4, 2025

A timeless tale of young love and life’s bittersweet beauty, the show is reimagined with modern flair for contemporary audiences...

Film Review: F1: The Movie

July 4, 2025

July 4, 2025

FILM REVIEWF1: THE MOVIERated PG-13155 MinutesReleased June 27th F1: The Movie will envelop you in a racecar. You will be...

Big Blue Bus Launches Prohibition Order Program to Bolster Safety

July 4, 2025

July 4, 2025

The orders, which can range from 30 days to one year, target offenses that threaten the safety and comfort of...

Col. Eric Swenson Honored by LA for Historic Debris Removal Effort

July 3, 2025

July 3, 2025

Swenson, with a distinguished military background including a Ph.D. and multiple master’s degrees from Penn State and other institutions, has...

(Video) A visit to New York Bagel & Deli in Santa Monica

July 3, 2025

July 3, 2025

Authentic NY Style Bagels with Extra Creamy Cream Cheese and Multi-Cultural Desserts. Located at 2216 Wilshire Blvd. A visit to...

(Video) Legacy, Reimagined: Architecture, Design & Construction by Home Front Build Los Angeles

July 2, 2025

July 2, 2025

Go To Homefrontbuild.com For More Information @home_front_build Legacy, Reimagined: Architecture, Design & Construction by Home Front Build Los Angeles. Go...

(Video) Gladstone’s Malibu Prepares for Reopening after Surviving Palisades Fires

July 2, 2025

July 2, 2025

With One Half of its Structure Slightly Charred and Undergoing Repairs, Gladstone’s Malibu is Reopening its Patio Space Just in...

Santa Monica Public Library Launches Community Mapping Survey

July 2, 2025

July 2, 2025

The initiative aims to shape the library’s programs and services to better meet community needs, fostering an inclusive and accessible...

Third Street Promenade Loses Bibibop Asian Grill

July 2, 2025

July 2, 2025

Bibibop opened at the Santa Monica location in 2017 after taking over a former ShopHouse space Bibibop Asian Grill, a...

Proposed Rebuilding Authority for Wildfire Recovery Sparks Local Control Debate

July 2, 2025

July 2, 2025

Plan Aims to Streamline Rebuilding but Raises Questions Over Community Input A proposed “Resilient Rebuilding Authority” to oversee recovery from...

Pentagon Orders Troop Drawdown in LA: 150 National Guard Members Reassigned to Wildfire Duty

July 2, 2025

July 2, 2025

Federal Forces Begin Partial Withdrawal From Protest Response as California Leaders Push Back U.S. Northern Command announced Tuesday that 150 National Guard...